Consider the Turkey

I came into this world in misery

and left it just the same.

I was never granted an ounce of dignity

or given my own name.

I was just a number on a plastic ring

clamped around my leg,

destined for nothing but a cruel death

from the moment I left my egg.

My beak was sliced with a hot blade,

making it hard to eat or breathe.

Still I grew so big, so fast

that I struggled to stand on my feet.

My legs finally snapped beneath my weight

leaving me to flail on the shit-stained earth.

No one tried to help me

for so little was I worth.

Finally, after 16 weeks

they threw us in trucks destined for the killing floor.

I was scared when I smelled blood

but thought maybe I wouldn't have to suffer anymore.

But the blades were dull and crude

from killing too many too fast

and when it came my turn to die

those dull blades made my suffering last.

My throat was cut shallow and quick

leaving me alive to see the end.

I watched paralyzed as one by one

the scalding tank boiled my friends.

I find myself on your table

while you all gather around to give thanks

by slicing into my tortured flesh

and pulling out a bone to break.

You do not question this tradition,

you just pass the gravy to pour

and it's clear to me that on Thanksgiving

there is nothing for turkeys to be thankful for.